The Sforza — Anna Maria Sforza

Anna Maria Sforza, cousin and sister-in-law of Isabella of Aragon, depicted with an important symbol (or device) of the Este: the unicorn

Since Niccolò III. d'Este (1383-1441) and his son and successor Borso d'Este (1413-1471), the Este used four important specific symbols (or devices) to identify themselves in their books of hours and sometimes also on their portraits, altarpieces and frescoes: the single diamant ring in combination with a single marguerite (or dog daisy); the unicorn; the black eagle; the French fleur-de-lis. (see: Julia Cartwright: Beatrice d'Este – Duchess of Milan (1475-1497): A study of the Renaissance, London 1903, p. 32)